Martinique - How caribbean are you ?

🇬🇧🇺🇸 In the last year of college i had the chance to work and live on Martinique for 4 months.
In this period of time i had enough time to explore every last corner of the Island, get some cultural insights and got to know many different locals.

In the following there will be a little Résumé, some pictures and a list with activities on the Island.

Résumé: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

Martinique is an island from the island group Leewward Islands - a dreamlike island in the caribbean with everything a travellers soul could ask for. Definitely worth a vacation or a short visit.

White, often times lonely sand beaches, wild natural beaches on the edge of mangrove forests with black vulcanic sand, vulcanic mountains, waterfalls, hiking routes for every experience levels, a variety of watersport activities etc. etc. etc.... can be found on Martinique.
I suggest to rent an Appartment and explore the Island by car instead of booking an all-inclusive hotel deal. There are only very few great hotels, which are very costly and do not necessarily offer good service. You can go to cancun for the all-inclusive trip.

In the following Pro and contra Martinique. The contra text might seem long, but the lenght is only because i give examples to justify my criticism.

Pro Martinique:

Martinique is Europe --> depending on where you come from that makes it easy to get to, €asy currency, cheap flights etc. (New York - Martinique is also extremly cheap)

Contra Martinique:

Martinique is Europe - compared to other caribbean islands Martinique seems very uptight and european. Other than the "if not today, then tomorrow mentality" there is not much caribbean flair to be found on Martinqiue.

Martinique is not dependent on the tourism industry but dependent on France. - With that the locals experience all the benefits from France like social aid, health care etc.The follwing statement is provacative: Because of this social security there is an extremly bad work ethic on Martinique and you will experience that as a tourist in many situations.
Even in the award winning, best restaurant of the city we waited 30 minutes for the Drink Menu. 20 Minutes later after we we were already served the startes our four drinks arrived but only two of the four trinks were correct.I don't say this to grouse, more so you will be prepared that nothing works as planned on martinique as it does in Europe or the USA.For this reason many companies preferably or even exclusively try to hire only french people from the mainland France (continent Europe).(I know this because of many conversations with executives and cooperations with local companies)

Martinique is a part of France - People speak french with a strong creol influence. That might complicate communication at times.

Martinique is extremly expensive. The cost of living is 40% high than in France. Especially noticable in groceries and drinks.

No extraordinarily good culinaric surprises

There are many many Mosquitos

Big Thank you To Leslie Ardon for the List of activities! If you want to organize a team sport training camp trip to Martinique, she is the woman to call!